Alfred presents a new series focusing on learning and teaching handbell techniques. This first volume features mallets in “Rustic Mallet Dance,” and echoes in “Echo Canyon.”
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 Level: 1+ Publisher: Alfred Handbell / Jubilate Music Group Rating: Easy
An initial offering in the new “First String Series” (featuring belltree pieces for one octave, more or less), “A Thankful Heart” will fast become a go-to favorite for its lovely theme and its versatility: play it as a simple, poignant belltree solo on 8 bells using either G5-G6 or C6-C7 – or add the piano accompaniment for a fuller presentation.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: NA Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
At last, Howard Shore's mystical music from the movie The Lord of the Rings comes to handbells in a finely-crafted medley!
Composer: Shore, Howard Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-7 Level: 3 Publisher: Alfred Handbell / Jubilate Music Group Rating: Medium Advance
“This is the Day that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it. Be Glad!” Part of the “Sing & Ring” series from ringTrue Handbell Music, this cheery unison song is based on Psalm 118 and has options for piano accompaniment, easy guitar chords and/or chords rung on bells or chimes.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 1-5 Level: 1 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
Kath Wissinger presents another great teaching piece for young people. This arrangement dramatically demonstrates what happens when there is a key change – avoiding a lot of “accidentals.” Enjoy!
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 2 Publisher: Composers Music Co. Rating: Easy
A masterful and heart-felt tribute to the 32 victims and the survivors of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, “Through the Storm” personifies the range of emotions felt by all who experience great joy, immense loss and courageous hope.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-6 Level: 4 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium Advance
"A Time to Dance" is a delightful original piece for 3-5 octave handbell choir, optional handchimes and optional percussion. It is appropriate for worship, concert and festival settings.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3+ Publisher: Alfred Handbell / Jubilate Music Group Rating: Medium Advance
Subtitled "Ice Escapades" this original work "glides" across a musical landscape leaving chromatic harmonies, flowing eighth-note lines, and key changes in its wake! 3 octaves of chimes (ranging from C4-C7) are scored in two sections and lend their "silvery" sound. Advanced ringers will find this piece challenging and fun.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-6 Level: 4 Publisher: National Handbell Music Rating: Medium Advance
Marked "Briskly", this original composition is filled with "spunky" effects that suggest the playfulness and unpredictability of that wondrous wet stuff-SNOW. Grace notes, martellatos and mart-lifts, mallet technique, and mallet rolls all add their distinctive flavor all the way to the mischievous last note in measure 82.
Composer: Wissinger, K. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3+ Publisher: AGEHR Publishing Rating: Medium
Sing a new Christmas carol this yuletide and accompany it with bells! This original hymn describing Mary and Joseph's trip to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus includes the congregational hymn and permission to copy it. The bells ring introduction and interludes but mostly provide accompaniment for the singing.
Composer: Wissinger, K. Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Rating: Medium
"O, Christmas Tree" and "We Three Kings" are the well-known Christmas tunes in this mini collection from Kathleen Wissinger. The pieces may be played together or separately by handbells or handchimes.
Composer: Various Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 2- Publisher: Composers Music Co. Rating: Easy
"Tre Regali" (Italian for "Three Gifts) is a chordal and rhythmic exploration in 5/4. Advanced choirs will find themselves challenged to play the quick chord progressions, percussive bass, and rests cleanly without overplaying the dynamics. Optional finger cymbals and tambourine have their own score included in the back of the folio.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-6 Level: 4 Publisher: High Meadow Music Publishing Rating: Advance
This piece includes all your ringers in melodic triplet patterns throughout the piece (even the bass 3's). It's a quirky, haunting little melody (Kath's son calls it her "Harry Potter" piece).
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-5 Level: 4 Publisher: From the Top Music Rating: Advance
Based on the hymn tune, "Amazing Grace", (New Britain, Virginia Harmony, 1831), this versatile arrangement provides a variety of formats which are suggested in the performance notes.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: From the Top Music Rating: Easy Medium
Based on the hymn tune "Amazing Grace", this piece may be performed as a solo or duet with piano accompaniment.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: NA Publisher: From the Top Music Rating: Easy Medium
Part of the First String series of bell tree pieces of one octave, more or less, Jeremiah Clarke’s "Trumpet Tune" is iconic for wedding processionals – and will be welcome as a festive note in worship and concert as well.
Composer: Clarke, Jeremiah Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 1+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
Bell Trees are intriguing and so much fun to play! Let’s start with “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”! The first three progressive 6-bell Bell Tree pieces (Scores A - Very Easy, B - Easy & C - Medium Easy) were featured in the Spring 2019 issue of Overtones. A few more challenging variations are included in this folio (D1- Med. Difficult and E - Difficult) - plus a duet option (D2 - Medium) - plus a piano accompaniment for each setting – and all are reproducible. Each short piece stands on its own – but all versions can be tied together and presented as a medley – presented by different ringers - or by a single ringer - for a nice surprise in a concert or a capstone presentation at the end of a workshop.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 1 or 3 Level: NA Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
"Au Clair de la Lune" and "Sur le Pont d'Avignon" are capably presented in this entertaining and playful work.
Composer: Traditional Folk Tunes Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 2 Publisher: Lorenz Corp. Rating: Easy Medium
Introducing "Building Blocks" – a most-welcome and long-needed series featuring workshop and class notes from experienced handbell educators sharing their expertise, experience, and insight to help make your rehearsals more productive and your ringers more confident. Each Building Block edition will give you tools and ideas to more effectively and knowledgeably lead your own ringers in explorations covering a wide range of topics. The kick-off edition, Unison Exercises - Intro and Level 1, introduces the concepts and theory behind Unison Exercises (UE) and how to create and use them in a rehearsal and classroom setting, teaching note-reading & new skills. An extensive explanation of hows and whys is accompanied by seven reproducible practice sheets for your ringers, plus a blank template for you to create your own.
“Upbeat!” is exactly that! A lively piece that features….upbeats! Carefully and clearly scored for “new-to-8th-note” ringers, this jaunty piece is easy to ring yet sounds big and complex, so even more established groups will enjoy ringing it as well. The sprightly melody is played in all ranges.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2, 3 or 5 Level: 2 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
Advent is a time of awaiting magical promises. This simple and haunting rendition of "Veni Emmanuel" (O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; 15th century, France) perfectly embodies that special feeling of wonder as we await the coming of the Christ Child.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 or 5 Level: 1+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
A bold exploration of syncopation and ostinati, "Veritas" (Latin for “truth”) opens with marted chords and a unique pealing pattern, then settles into the driving rhythms of the main theme.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-6 Level: 4 Publisher: Choristers Guild Rating: Medium Advance
A Split-Level piece, some parts are intentionally Level 1, but with lots of techniques, they are still fun to ring. Add tambourine and finger chimes for some sparkle.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-5 Level: 1+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
A welcome addition to the "Sing & Ring" series, "Walk the Walk - II" will delight singers, ringers and audience members. Based on Jesus' admonition to "Feed my sheep....Walk the walk with me" - the catchy original tune and very accessible accompaniment options allow all ages of musicians and multiple grades in a school to take part in the fun.
Mysterious and majestic, this arrangement of the lovely Welsh tune (ABERYSTWYTH, Joseph Parry 1876) features a solo line question and an obbligato answer, then moves to a more fully scored section. An exceptionally versatile score, it is offered in 2 settings to adapt to the number of available ringers.
Composer: Parry, Joseph Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-5 Level: 2+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy Medium
Hosanna! Celebrate Palm Sunday with this engaging Chord Story that follows Jesus along the road into Jerusalem. The disciples, the crowds, the palm branches and even the donkey have parts in this tale! Each character has a short musical “theme” played by a few ringers during the narrated story; all teachable by rote and ready to perform within minutes.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2-3 Level: 1 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
The Madden Brothers’ pop rock hit “We Are Done” is deftly captured in this spirited rendition by Kathleen Wissinger. Driving rhythms and full harmonies make it ideal for high school and college groups as well as for community and advanced ensembles. This boisterous contemporary song speaks of yearning to be recognized and valued without judgement: “No, we won't just go back Home without you hearing The sound when the many say, 'We are done.'”
Composer: Madden, B. & Madden, J. & Valentine, Eric Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 4-6 Level: 3+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
The Gaelic subtitle, "Faite chun an latha," gives a hint to the lilting, 6/8 meter of this original work. The packet includes parts for two versions of the work: A flute melody with 1-5 octaves of chimes or bells providing chordal accompaniment, OR a stand-alone bell piece with optional flute accompaniment. There are 4 scores in all. There is also some shelley ringing (4-in-hand) in the piece.
Composer: Wissinger, K. Octaves: 2-5 Level: 3+ Publisher: Above the Line Publishing Rating: Medium Advance
"Wellerman", a traditional New Zealand sea shanty (c. 1860), hit the internet by storm in early 2021 with Nathan Evans' TikTok collaboration. This jaunty arrangement includes some of the voicing heard in the now-famous recording. Two non-compatible scores are included in the folio: Score A is Level 2 for 2 octaves, and Score B (more complex) is Level 3 for 3 or 5 octaves.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2, 3 or 5 Level: 2+ Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
Lyrics from the chorus of this classic Christmas farewell are printed right into the score to allow ringers to sing-a-long if so desired.
Composer: Traditional 16th Century Carol Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 or 5 Level: 2- Publisher: Alfred Handbell / Jubilate Music Group Rating: Easy Medium
Here's a great closer for your holiday concerts! It's always nice to have a small piece stuck in your back pocket in case the audience begs for "just one more!" This Level 2, 3-5 octave setting won't require a lot of rehearsal time to learn, and the 2-page format makes it easy to play with no page turns.
Composer: Traditional English Carol Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-5 Level: 2 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
It’s a rare L1 piece that offers a truly beautiful interpretation that more advanced groups will also love playing - and this is one. Understated and plaintive, yet fully orchestrated for 3 or 5 octaves with compelling harmonic structure, “What Wondrous Love is This?” will become a classic in your group’s repertoire. It’s ideal for bells or chimes - or a mixture of both (options are noted).
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 or 5 Level: 1 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
Calling God’s people to worship, “When We Gather” is based on Matthew 18:20 - “When two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them.” Delicate at first, then soaring with a rise in key, the Level 3, 3-6 oct. handbell score can stand alone as a grand musical prelude in worship or a strong concert piece in its own right.
Composer: Traditional Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-6 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
This little-known Southern Harmony gem enthralls with a unique form, minor mode and intriguing melody. These L3 arrangements explore three variations (verses) utilizing martellato statements and interesting harmonies. In addition to the traditional Lenten text associated with this tune, two insightful new hymn texts for Epiphany and Palm Sunday expand liturgical-use possibilities. Two non-compatible Level 3 scores allow for different bell and vocal ranges. Score A is for 2 octaves with optional A6, F3-F4, and vocal solo or unison hymn.
Composer: Southern Harmony Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 2 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
This little-known Southern Harmony gem enthralls with a unique form, minor mode and intriguing melody. These L3 arrangements explore three variations (verses) utilizing martellato statements and interesting harmonies. In addition to the traditional Lenten text associated with this tune, two insightful new hymn texts for Epiphany and Palm Sunday expand liturgical-use possibilities. Two non-compatible Level 3 scores allow for different bell and vocal ranges. Score B is for 3-7 octaves with optional vocal solo or unison hymn.
Composer: Southern Harmony Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-7 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
Glen Campbell's iconic ballad, "Wichita Lineman," is faithfully and beautifully interpreted for handbells in this specially commissioned piece. Slow pop syncopations and lush chording based on Glen's original performance will entice your ringers and mesmerize your audience.
Composer: Webb, Jimmy Arranger: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-6 Level: 3 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Medium
Lift your face to the wind, hoist the sails and take an invigorating trip with “Wind in Our Sails,” an original “sea ballad” for 3 or 5 octaves bells or chimes, Level 2: Easy to learn yet powerful in scope. The lovely tune is introduced as a solo line with an optional bell tree or solo C instrument and builds in strength throughout the piece.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 or 5 Level: 2 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy
This inspiring original work was written in honor of Fran Vaughan, who is a past Chair of AGEHR Area III. Kathleen Wissinger had Mark 12:33 “…and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself…” in mind when she composed this piece.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3-5 Level: 3 Publisher: G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Rating: Medium
Subtitled “Prayful Moments” for sacred use, this 3-octave Level 1 piece is wonderfully interesting and thoughtful - starting in c minor and brightening to C Major in an easy transition. Appropriate for bells or chimes, “Written on a Postcard” is an original “through” piece (each section is different) that travels through a series of vignettes, each with its own personality. And rightly so, since each 8-measure section was written by a team of three or four 5th graders in Kath’s handbell class as their composition project for Spring 2022.
Composer: Wissinger, Kathleen Octaves: 3 Level: 1 Publisher: ringTrue Rating: Easy